Immunology: Microchimerism
Program Code: 118-S
Saturday, October 23, 2004
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM (ET)

SPEAKERS
J. Lee Nelson, MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Kristina Adams, MD, University of Washington

DESCRIPTION
In this session, recent advances in our understanding of blood and tissue-based microchimerism will be reviewed, along with data implicating blood transfusion in the development of microchimerism in selected transfusion recipients. Leading experts will present an overview of recent clinical studies of diseases associated with microchimerism and discuss the possible role that microchimerism may play in host tissue regeneration.

OBJECTIVES

• Define microchimerism and explain how it may arise as one possible effect of blood transfusion
• Describe the nature of microchimerism between mother and fetus and explain how this may relate to opportunities for prenatal diagnosis
• Discuss how microchimerism between mother and fetus may also relate to disease pathogenesis
• Analyze recent evidence suggesting that microchimerism between mother and fetus may contribute to tissue regeneration

AUDIENCE
Physicians, Scientists, Technologists, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors

PROGRAM LEVEL
Intermediate to Advanced